Louis François Etienne Bergeret
Encyclopedia
Louis François Etienne Bergeret also Bergeret d’Arbois (b. 1814, d. 1893 in Arbois
) was a French
physician
.
Bergeret worked at theHopital Civil d’ Arbois.He was a friend of Louis Pasteur
(1822-1895). Bergeret is famous for his early use of insects in a criminal investigation making him one of the first forensic entomologists
.
Bergeret performed an autopsy
on the mummified body of an infant discovered in a Paris
house in 1855. He recognized and drew conclusions from the pattern of succession of different insect species onto the corpse, and also saw the significance of the duration of the life cycles of the different cadaver insects. His analysis of the insect evidence led to the conclusion that the child had died in 1848. The police suspects were the young couple occupying the house in 1848, and they were subsequently arrested and convicted of the murder.
In 1866 he published on conjugal onanism or "frauds in the accomplishment of the generative functions", and its supposed dangers to both health and morals. In another work, he discusses the dangers of alcoholism
to family and society.
His dying quote was "I wish to find more about forensics."
Arbois
Arbois is a commune in the Jura department in Franche-Comté in eastern France. The Cuisance River passes through the town, which has some pretty streets lined with ancient houses...
) was a French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
.
Bergeret worked at theHopital Civil d’ Arbois.He was a friend of Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur was a French chemist and microbiologist born in Dole. He is remembered for his remarkable breakthroughs in the causes and preventions of diseases. His discoveries reduced mortality from puerperal fever, and he created the first vaccine for rabies and anthrax. His experiments...
(1822-1895). Bergeret is famous for his early use of insects in a criminal investigation making him one of the first forensic entomologists
Forensic entomology
Forensic entomology is the application and study of insect and other arthropod biology to criminal matters. It is primarily associated with death investigations; however, it may also be used to detect drugs and poisons, determine the location of an incident, and find the presence and time of the...
.
Bergeret performed an autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
on the mummified body of an infant discovered in a Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
house in 1855. He recognized and drew conclusions from the pattern of succession of different insect species onto the corpse, and also saw the significance of the duration of the life cycles of the different cadaver insects. His analysis of the insect evidence led to the conclusion that the child had died in 1848. The police suspects were the young couple occupying the house in 1848, and they were subsequently arrested and convicted of the murder.
In 1866 he published on conjugal onanism or "frauds in the accomplishment of the generative functions", and its supposed dangers to both health and morals. In another work, he discusses the dangers of alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
to family and society.
His dying quote was "I wish to find more about forensics."
Publications
- 1855, 'Infanticide, Momification naturelle du cadavre', Annales d’hygiène publique et de médecine légale, série 2, no 4.- Paris: Jean-Baptiste Baillière.
- 1866, La fièvre intermittante dans le Jura, Typ. Ganthier Frères à Lons-le-Saunier.
- 1868. Des Fraudes dans l’accomplissement des fonctions génératries, dangers et inconvénients pour les individus, la famille et la société, Paris, J.-B. Baillière et fils.
- 1869, L'alcoolisme: dangers et inconvénients de l'abus des boissons alcolliques pour les individus, la famille, la société. Paris: J.-B. Baillière.